Garmin Bringing Edge 820 GPS Cycling Computer To Oz

Garmin Australia is bringing a number of new products to the local market, including its Edge 820 lightweight and compact GPS cycling computer.

Sporting a 2.3” high-resolution, capacitive touch display, with an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the screen’s brightness, the Edge 820 is decked out with Garmin’s new GroupTrack feature, allowing cyclists to keep tabs of everyone in their group.

GroupTrack allows “cyclists to ride at their own pace while seeing where fellow riders are, so if one person falls out of sight, they don’t fall off the device’s map”, with it capable of tracking up to 50 riders, allowing tracking for up to a 16 km radius.

Garmin states that built-in GPS, GLONASS and an altimeter provide for accurate ride data, showing cyclists how far, fast and high they have ridden, while the Edge 820 can be paired with the full suite of Varia cycling awareness products, including the Varia rearview radar, Varia Vision and Varia smart bike lights.

The Edge 820 is compatible with ANT+ power meters, including Garmin’s Vector pedal-based power meter, measuring total power, left/right balance and cadence, and integrates with ANT+ electronic shifting systems and ANT+ bike trainers.

With the addition of a heart rate strap, riders can view their cycling-specific VO2 max along with a recovery advisor, analysing their data and telling them how long they should wait before attempting another hard ride, while additional performance data includes FTP and watts/kg tracking, and in-ride challenges through Strava Live Segments.

The Edge 820 is Connect IQ-compatible, and also provides incoming smart notifications from a compatible smartphone, with additional connected features provided via the Garmin Connect free online fitness community.

The Edge 820 provides up to 15 hours of battery life in training mode, with Garmin stating that battery save mode will extend the battery life up to 50 per cent while still tracking the detail of a ride.

The Edge 820 is priced at $649 RRP, or $799 RRP bundled with a speed sensor, cadence sensor and a premium heart rate monitor.

Oregon 700 and 750t

Garmin is additionally bringing its Oregon 700 and 750t touchscreen outdoor handhelds to the Australian market.

Garmin states that the new Oregon 700 series, featuring high-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS support, has a redesigned GPS antenna for better reception and performance, with a one-year subscription to BirdsEye satellite imagery.

The Oregon 750t sports an 8 MP camera with flash capabilities for geotagged photos, with TOPO Lite Australia and New Zealand preloaded, while all of the units have a built-in microSD card slot.

“In addition to mapping, all of the new handhelds have built-in ABC sensors: the barometric altimeter provides elevation data to accurately monitor ascent and descent, the barometer can be used to predict weather changes by showing short-term changes in air pressure, and the 3-axis electronic compass helps users keep their bearings, even when standing still,” Garmin states.

“There is also an updated and simplified menu interface, which features a variety of profiles optimised for each activity, such as hiking, tour cycling, climb, geocache, fish and more.”

Via a Wi-Fi connection or the Garmin Connect Mobile app on a compatible smartphone, the new handhelds have wireless integration with Geocaching.com for Geocaching Live, while they are the first GPS handhelds to be compatible with Garmin Connect IQ, with users able to pair the handhelds with a smartphone for notifications.

Decked out with a 3” sunlight readable touchscreen display with dual-orientation capabilities, the devices have a rugged design with an IPX7 water rating, and sport a dual-battery system, compatible with either AA batteries or an optional NiMH internal rechargeable battery pack, providing up to 16 hours of battery life using either option.

Available now, the Oregon 700 is priced at $599 RRP and the Oregon 750t $699 RRP.

DriveTrack 70 LMT

Garmin’s DriveTrack 70 LMT 7” touchscreen dashboard navigator is also landing in the Australian market this month.

The DriveTrack 70 LMT is decked out with a pinch-to-zoom touchscreen display and comes preloaded with City Navigator Australia and New Zealand.

Garmin states that it also “pairs seamlessly with the new Astro 430” GPS and GLONASS dog tracking handheld.